Safety switch point bridal bar protector



Nov. 26, A. M. RITCHEY SAFETY SWITCH POINT BRIDAL BAR PROTECTOR I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 27, 1939 All DREW M. fP/TCf/EK.

ado wan Nov. 26, 1940. A. M. RITCHEY 2,222,855

SAFETY SWITCH POINT BRIDAL BAR PROTECTOR I Filed Dec. 27, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .mm M

Patented Nov. 26, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY SWITCH POINT BRIDAL BAR PROTECTOR 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a safety switch point bridal bar protector.

An object of the invention is the provision of 7 safety means whereby repair men are able to detect imperfect condition of the switch toeliminate accident.

Another object of the invention is to provide an attachment to hold the switch point in position against the stock rail in the event of a break in the bridal bar or bridal bar connections.

A further object of the invention is to provide an attachment that will give additional strength and security of the switch points position against the stock rail in the event a break occurs which often does in the bridal bar or bridal bar connections.

Another object of the invention is the construction of a switch attachment which will operate efficiently, and can be constructed at a minimum cost.

A still further object of the invention is the construction of a switch mechanism which will afiord easy inspection, whereby any broken part will be readily discovered, and by the efficient and simple nature of the mechanism the same can be efiiciently and quickly repaired.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comp-rises certain novel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a closed switch mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention, while Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view showing the same in an open position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the switchpoint rods and the yoke device.

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5-5, Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6-6, Fig. l, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, in which I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, I designates the standard rails and 2 and 3 are the movably mounted switch-points. A bridal bar 4 extends under the rails and switch-points, and on bar 4 are two similarly constructed fasconnecting rod tening devices 5. Each fastening device 5 comprises a body 6, in which are a plurality of aligned apertures I. In one of the apertures I is a bolt 8 that extends through the bridal bar 4, fastening device 5 thereto. The device 5 is provided with a flange 9 against the switch-point and bolts or similar fastening means III secure said flange 9 to the switch-point.

A connecting rod II is pivotally secured at I2 to the inner end of the bridal bar 4; the outer end of rod II is movably connected in any suitable manner to the vertical shaft I3, to which shaft is suitably secured handle I4. Therefore, when handle I4 is operated rod II will be moved horizontally, imparting similar movement to the bridal bar 4 and switch-points 2 and 3.

A yoke device I5 is mounted upon connecting rod II. This yoke device (Fig. 5) comprises an upper flat primary plate I5, which plate I6 is pro-i vided at its ends or side edges 'with integral sleeves II. An auxiliary plate I8 is provided with flat flanges I9; these flanges I9 rest flat against the inner face of primary plate I6, between the sleeves Il. Vertical bolts 20 extend through the flanges I9 and through the primary'plate I6, with their heads between the sleeves I1 and the sleevelike body 2| of the auxiliary plate I8, with their upper threaded ends carrying nuts 22, through which nuts and bolts extend cotter pins 23. The II is in the sleeve-like body 2| of the auxiliary plate I8.

Switch-point rods 24 extend through sleeves I1; these rods are spread laterally outwardly at 25, and each rod is provided on its outer end with a hook 26. The hooks 26 engage the flange 21 of the switch-point 2. The portion of each rod 22 that is in the sleeve I1 is externally screw threaded; this screw threaded portion extends beyond opposite ends of each sleeve, and upon these threaded portions are mounted lock nuts 28, whereby the rods can be adjusted accurately upon the yoke device to accommodate excellent 'adjustment to the switch-point 2 and then held in such adjusted position by said lock nut 28. To positively lock the outer set of lock nuts on each switch-point rod, the rod is provided with a plurality of aligned apertures 29 (Fig. 6), and in one of these apertures is placed a cotter pin 30 against the outer nut. As the rod 24 is adjusted within the sleeve of the yoke device, the lock nuts can be adjusted longitudinally of the rod, and when the final adjustment is secured the nuts can be tightened with respect to the sleeve and. then the cotter pin 30 placed in position;

It is to be understood that the connection at I2 of the bridal bar 4 and the connecting rod II is exposed to the view of the repair man, and any defect of the connection l2 will be readily discovered and can be easily repaired. Further, if a break should occur at the connection l2, which may be styled a joint or break in bridal bar or connections beyond [2, such a break will cause the two hooks 26 to dropdown when switch is operated for inspection or otherwise which condition would be readily discovered by the repair man or others. On the other hand, my invention when hooks, are replaced on switch point and switch reset, will hold the movable rail or switchpoint against the stationary rail until switch can be spiked or repaired.

By reason of the plate it of the yoke device 15 being against the curved portion l2a, said plate l6 will be prevented from slipping forward. This construction will prevent hooks 26 from becoming disengaged from the flange 21.

I have shown the yoke device in the preferred form and have described the same in the foregoing specification, but modifications may be made involving an integral structure to the switch connecting rod, or it may be bolted, welded or cast.

While I have described the preferred embodiment of my invention and illustrated the same in the accompanying drawings, certain minor changes or alterations may appear to one skilled in the art to which this invention relates during the extensive manufacture of the same, and I, therefore, reserve the right to make such alterations or changes as shall fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a switch mechanism of the class described, the combination of a movable switchpoint, a bridal bar, means for fastening said bridal bar to said switch point, a connecting rod movably fastened to one end of said bridal bar, a yoke device on said connecting rod, said yoke device comprising a fiat primary plate provided with integral sleeves at its ends, an auxiliary plate including a sleeve-like body and fiat flanges, said flat flanges against said primary plate between said sleeves, fastening means extending through said flat flanges and said primary plate, said connecting rod in said sleevelike body, switch-point rods extending through the sleeves of said primary plate, said switchpoint rods being screw threaded externally at said sleeves, lock nuts on said screw threads of said switch-point rods against the ends of said sleeves, and said switch-point rods provided with hooks against said movable switch-point.

2. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a movable switch-point, of a bridal bar conbridal bar, a yoke device on said connecting rod provided with a curved portion fastened to said bridal bar, a yoke device on said cononecting rod against said curved portion, and means adjustably connecting said yoke device to said switch point.

3. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a movable switch point, a bridal bar under said switch point, of a connecting rod provided with an upwardly curved end, means fastening said upwardly curved end to said bridal bar, a yoke device on said connecting rod against said upwardly curved end, said yoke device comprising an upper plate bearing against the top of said connecting rod, adjustable switch-point rods engaging at one end said switch-point, and said upper plate of the yoke device provided with means "at its side-edges surrounding and supporting portions of said switch-point rods.

4. In a switch mechanism, the combination with a movable switch-point, a bridal bar un-' der said switch-point, of 'a connecting rod fastened to said bridal bar, a yoke device on said connecting rod, said yoke device comprising an upper primary plate resting flat upon the top of said connecting rod, said primary plate provided at its side-edges with sleeves, an auxiliary plate engaging the bottom surface of said connecting rod and fastened to said primary plate between said sleeves, and switch-point rods engaging said switch-point and in said sleeves.

ANDREW M. RITCHEY. 

